Sunday at 4: 00 a. m. ET, martin brundle put Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri as his predicted 1-2-3 for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, offering a clear podium order days before the season opener.
That call arrives because the sport’s season-opening weekend in Melbourne is imminent and Sky Sports assembled seven members of its F1 team for pre-race predictions ahead of round one of the 24-race campaign, with the pundits’ picks released in the run-up to the event.
Martin Brundle’s Australia podium prediction
Martin Brundle selected Charles Leclerc first, George Russell second and Oscar Piastri third for the Australian GP podium. He also signaled an expectation of more winners than usual this year, saying “at least six, ” projecting a competitive and unpredictable season opening.
Sky pundits’ split picks for Melbourne
The Sky Sports F1 team offered a range of podium orders that contrast with Brundle’s top three. Simon Lazenby put George Russell first, Charles Leclerc second and Lewis Hamilton third; Natalie Pinkham chose Lando Norris, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton; David Croft lined up George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Karun Chandhok listed George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris; Rachel Brookes had George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli; Anthony Davidson suggested George Russell, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. The variety across those seven selections underscores the uncertainty heading into Melbourne.
Martin Brundle on 2026 team form and a contrasting McLaren view
Separately, martin brundle has said there is no clear favorite Formula 1 team in 2026, framing his podium prediction against a wider field without an obvious dominant operation this year. That perspective sits alongside a competing view that a McLaren podium in Australia is not “realistic, ” highlighting divergent expectations among team figures and pundits before the opener.
The next confirmed event is Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix race at 4: 00 a. m. ET; if the early weekend pace shown in practice and qualifying holds through to the race, these predictions will be tested on-track.
